Where would we be without fires?
What would we say without words?
Is banking brilliant?
Is god a good idea?
Would you vote for democracy?
Could we live in a world with slaves?
Does Marx get top marks?

Through the ages, Humanity has had lots of VERY GOOD IDEAS (and quite a few very bad). But which of them are the best? Which are the topnotch, brilliant, world-changing, absolutely essential ideas that we simply couldn’t do without?

THE WORLD’S GREATEST IDEA centres on a poll in which you get to vote on which idea gets the gold medal – place your vote here. It’s partly fun, of course, but it’s also an attempt to kickstart a genuine debate about what really matters to humanity.

To get the ball rolling, we’ve enlisted a distinguished panel of experts from across the fields of science, arts and philosophy to draw up a list of 50 ideas, with the aid of author John Farndon, for you to vote on.

All you have to do is look at our list of 50 GREAT IDEAS, mull them over, then make your choice and VOTE which one or ones you think should come top.

Of course, you may utterly disagree that any of the ideas in the list are even any good, let alone great. You may feel there are others that are so much better. If so, then join in the GREAT DEBATE. Suggest new ideas. Make your case. Show the panel the error of their ways. Convince the world – and share your opinions with friends using the Share buttons or via our Facebook and Twitter sites.

John Farndon is now writing a book about the ideas, The World’s Greatest Idea, to be published by Icon Books in October 2010. The results of this poll will shape the book, and it will include some of the best, most intelligent, perceptive, amusing and thought-provoking comments in the Great Debate – so get thinking and you could be in there too!